Crete, more so than any other Greek Island, is like an
open-air museum. The island is Greek’s largest and is the
only one that could, if needs be, actual support itself
independently from the Grecian mainland. It has a healthy
agricultural industry, but it’s its tourism industry that’s
really taking off and this is all boosted by its history.
Yes it has pristine beaches, a quintessentially
Mediterranean climate and the cost of living, or in this
case holidaying, is relatively cheap. But it’s the Neolithic
monuments, the remnants of early Minoan civilization, Roman
palaces, Byzantine churches, Ottoman-designed houses and
colonial towns. However,
all the sites can be narrowed down if you are pushed for
time, into a must-do list of four.
Knossos
The Palace of Knossos was once the capital of Minoan culture
in Crete. According to legend, it was here, that King Minos
kept his brutal brute of a Minotaur, part man part bull,
that was eventually killed by an Athenian hero Theseus. The
remains of the palace, complete with colourful frescos and
pillared walkways dates back to 1700-1400BC. The city
remained important long after the Minoans died out, but the
Roman’s eventually built up a new centre of importance on
the site of what is now Heraklion.
Gortys
On this fertile plain around 40 minutes drive south of
Heraklion civilization on Crete was
born in the 5th millennium
BC. This site boasts an unbroken history of more than 6,000
years from early Minoan through to Roman but was destroyed
by Arabs in 828AD.
Ideon Cave
High on Mount Ida is the Ideon Cave, the highest mountain
cave in Crete it was here that Zeus is believed to have been
born and raised. It was an important religious sanctuary,
particularly between 4000BC and the 1st century
AD.
Lissos
Preserved for thousands of years, Lissons is an ancient city
on Chania’s coastline. It once boasted 30,000 residents and
minted its own money. It was most important as a port
harbour during Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine eras.
Although the temple of Asklepios is no longer intact,
destroyed in an earthquake hundreds of years ago, the
beautiful mosaic floor remains and depicts animals and
geometrical patterns.
Thomas Cook offers a variety of Crete holidays allowing you
to take in all the island has to offer any time of the year.
